Email security

It is reported that at least 90% of data breaches start with an email, and cyber hackers are always looking for new ways to catch us out.

Protecting your data is very important to us. To help manage cyber threats found in emails, the University now uses an advanced email security solution as part of its cyber protection arsenal.

Much of the work happens in the background so you won’t notice. The following features are available:

URL Protect

This feature automatically scans emails for unsafe web links.

What you will see:

  • When you hover over a web link in an email, you will see  Safe link and URL protection means links in external emails will be pre-fixed with 'https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/' to enable scanning of links for security threats.
  • If you click on a link that is deemed malicious, you will see a University-branded message advising you that the link is unsafe and has been blocked for your protection.

Attachment Project

What you will see:

  • You may receive University-branded messages advising that unsafe attachments have been blocked.
  • University-branded notification emails – notifications, such as a failure to send messages, will be University-branded to help you identify genuine messages.
  • If you believe a blocked email link or attachment is safe and should not be blocked please log a ServiceNow request or contact the Service Desk.

Email Quarantine

If an email sender is not clearly identified as being ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ it will be held in ‘quarantine’ until the sender can be verified by you.

What you will see:

  • You’ll receive an email notification when messages are held for review. Once you have checked the sender you can choose to release, permit or block the email. Each message in the digest is actioned individually
  • A daily notification is sent when new messages are held for review. If you don’t release, allow or block them, they’ll be automatically deleted after 30 days.

Questions or concerns about an email?

Please remember, if you have any concerns about an email, content or the email security solution, contact the Service Desk on 17000 or (02) 492 17000 from mobiles and external numbers (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, University working days). They will be happy to assist you.